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Impact of Robotics in Finance and Accounting

We grew up hearing stories of Robots taking hold of the world and learning interesting discoveries about Artificial Intelligence. As a consequence, all of us have wished at some point in our lives to have robots to take care of our everyday mundane tasks and make our lives easier. Today, that imagination is taking the form of reality especially when we come across Japanese robotics; it leaves us in the state of awe. Jaw-dropped; we cannot help ourselves admiring the human intelligence.

Varieties of robotics have helped us in multiple industries. We are going to analyze the impact of robotics in finance and accounting to grow our business. The working procedure of Robotics in Financial or Accounting services requires Robotic Process Automation. A fancy term you must be wondering! So what exactly is Robotic Process Automation or RPA?

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

In simple wording, RPA is software that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and possesses machine learning capabilities to handle high-volume, repeatable tasks. This method replaces human force which means that the tasks that are performed manually can be completed via RPA with much more efficiency and credibility. The interesting thing about RPA is that it mimics our way of execution of tasks by capturing and interpreting existing applications, manipulating data, triggering communications with other systems and so on via existing user interfaces.

Moreover, RPA is a feature of intelligent process automation (IPA). IPA portrays a range of automated processing including RPA cognitive technology and machine learning systems. If you are thinking about how robots can possibly have a learning experience, well surprisingly, this technology has the ability to learn from prior decisions and data patterns to come up with its own decisions. However, expert supervision is still required to choose the methods that are the best fit for the desired aims or goals.

RPA in Accounting and Financial Services

RPA has helped in rethinking the financial services and it can automate a process as it is making it a clear advantage of this solution. RPA effectively helps in Operational Accounting which includes a maintained data for accounts receivable, billings and collections and so on. It helps in General Accounting procedures by taking care of allocations and adjustments and journal entry processing etcetera. It means that the entire mundane task of data entry and making account of millions of daily transactions will not require a number of people performing repetitive dull tasks sitting in front of their computer screens all day long. Other than that, it also takes care of financial reporting, budgeting, planning, forecasting and other treasury tasks.

If you are thinking that using RPA will have its own set of limitations and will not work in Shared Service Environment, well this is a wrong assumption. RPA can be successfully implemented in Shared Service Environment and yes not only it efficiently replaces human workforce but also minimizes the risk of human errors.

Why Robotic Process Automation?

So, why RPA? Are not our systems working just fine without it? As a matter of fact, people were equally, if not more, suspicious few decades ago when the internet was introduced. Today it is impossible to even think of a world without the internet. Then came the social media networking and the next phase of our development is definitely RPA and following are few major reasons for having it for Financial and Accounting Services.

Cost Effective

RPA is cost effective. It significantly reduces the cost of manual labor by automation of repetitive processes and also eliminates the need for back office resources.

Better Productivity

There is no working hour limitation. It works 24/7/365 to cater customers and allows for much better customer care and services

Performance

Performance of software robot is definitely better than an employee as it has the ability to do error free tasks in minimal time at a much faster pace

Over-All Efficiency

Considering the above-mentioned features, RPA in accounting and finance does provide a more efficient system with fewer resources consumed.

Revolutionized Future with RPA

Does RPA have the ability to revolutionize our future? Yes, we will have relatively short implementation timelines and low maintenance costs. RPA also extends the functionality of the present legacy systems. It minimizes drawbacks related to inefficient and manual-intensive interfaces of those systems.

Another question that pops up is what would happen to the human workforce? If the system is more efficient and all, what would become of a large labor force that is currently a part of a manual system? Wouldn’t the unemployment rate go much higher? Well, human work force would still be required as training and operational management of a robot is done by humans. Robots will involve humans for insights and subjective assessments in decision making.

An objection can be raised that the core skill set will have to be changed and new technical skills with advanced analysis and interpretations will have to be introduced to manage the robotic systems. It will not only be very expensive but also would require large scale educating and instructing the work force. However, it offers an ultimate lower operating cost and high productivity in minimal time. It also offers increased productivity to human employees who would no longer need to do the dull, repetitive tasks. Moreover, many high-quality jobs will also be created for the people who can maintain and improve RPA software. Also, one of the key advantages of RPA is that you do not need developers for configuration. Robotic process automation software is easy to use and manage, although it does require some testing and quality assurance.

It is Just the Beginning…

In the end, we have to keep in mind that RPA is just the beginning. It is an amazing technology with great benefits but to take the maximum out of it and fully imply it, we will have to work harder. If we are able to pull it out, among other benefits we will be able to make sense of and deploy other Artificial Intelligence related technologies.

We are passionate about Business Process Automation

Having spent years in IT and Business Process consulting, we see the simplicity of RPA Technology
as the biggest enabler for today's agile Business. We deliver intelligent automation for businesses
through robotic process automation, AI and machine learning.